The longtime face of Mad magazine lived by a simple credo: “What, me worry?” Flynn adopted that Neuman-esque attitude today when asked about being named the starting quarterback for the Seahawks’ preseason opener against the Titans at CenturyLink Field, and what the opportunity might mean in his quest to be named the starter for the Sept. 9 regular-season opener against the Cardinals in Arizona.

“I’m excited about it,” Flynn said after what might have been his best practice of the team’s Bing training camp. “It’s not something I’m too nervous about, I think too much about. I’m excited I get the opportunity.

“This is kind of what I’ve been looking for and waiting for.”

Flynn spent his first four NFL seasons as the backup to Aaron Rodgers with the Packers. Since signing with the Seahawks in free agency in March, Flynn has been competing for the starting job with incumbent Tarvaris Jackson and rookie Russell Wilson.

This week, he’s taking the starter reps in practice to prepare himself for Saturday night – and the opportunity to show the coaches he can handle even more.

“It’s going to be good to be able to get these reps the next couple days in practice, get in a rhythm,” said Flynn, speaking to the media for the first time since coach Pete Carroll announced on Tuesday that he would start the preseason opener.

“Even today, after the offense got going, we played well. We got in a rhythm. We were in synch with each other. Hopefully that continues.”

In rhythm. In synch. In command. Flynn was all of that during the two-hour practice that was held in full pads.

He hooked up with Golden Tate for a couple of long gains, but also distributed the ball to 10 other receivers. Flynn put zip on the ball when needed, but also displayed touch when that was needed.

And he did it while approaching this significant practice as just another practice.

“I’m looking at it as a great opportunity,” he said. “I’ve always been the guy that I don’t let things get too big for me or too little for me. I’m looking at it as a chance to go out there and prove that I can run this offense and prove that I can take control and move the ball.”